Kim Dragseth, the founder of the Osoyoos Autism Behavioural Centre, is hoping for another strong turnout on Saturday, April 16 when the fourth annual Walk for Awareness takes place in Osoyoos. This photo was taken at last year’s event. (File photo)
Kim Dragseth shakes her head and smiles with a look of incredulity when recalling that the Osoyoos Autism Behavioural Centre will soon be celebrating its fifth anniversary.
“It’s really hard to believe that we’ve already been around for five years,” said Dragseth, who is the founder of centre in Osoyoos that has helped hundreds of families not only in Osoyoos, but in numerous other towns spread across the Okanagan Valley.
On Saturday, April 16, the fourth annual Osoyoos Autism Behavioural Centre’s Walk For Awareness will takes place in Osoyoos.
The event not only raises funds for the centre, but also raises awareness about the great work being done to help children diagnosed with autism, as well as family members and caretakers, said Dragseth.
The inaugural event four years ago attracted an amazing crowd of more than 175 participants, while the second and third awareness walks had between 125 and 150 participants, said Dragseth.
This year’s event will feature a Star Wars theme and many participants will come dressed up as their favourite Star Wars character, she said.
The start-finish line will be at town square on Main Street, adjacent to Osoyoos town hall. Participants will walk through a three-kilometre course that winds its way through the town, said Dragseth.
Once the awareness walk is finished, participants will be asked to stay to enjoy some live music, activities for the kids as well as snacks and refreshments. There will also be a silent auction and barbecue. Food is being donated by the Greenside Grill at the Osoyoos Golf Club, McLean Construction and Buy-Low Grocery store in Osoyoos.
Since receiving her certification to provide training to parents of children with autism, Dragseth has travelled all across British Columbia to lead seminars and will continue to do so throughout 2016, she said.
Locally, the behavioural centre offers programs for children with autism under age 6, another program for children over age 6, an after-school social group, as well as support programs for parents and caregivers.
Having programs and services for autistic children and their parents is very rare in a small town like Osoyoos and that’s why the centre attracts clients from a large geographic area, said Dragseth.
“We not only have clients from Osoyoos, but all over the South Okanagan, including Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Rock Creek, Midway, Kaleden and Cawston,” she said. “We are helping families over a very large area and I’m very proud of that.”
While still working full-time as a dental assistant for a dentist in Oliver, Dragseth manages to find the time to dedicate numerous hours each week to programs and services at the Osoyoos Autism Behavioural Centre.
“This is my passion and I never have trouble generating the energy needed to run the centre,” she said. “I know we’re making a positive difference in the lives of many children and their families, so I always find the time to do what’s needed.”
The Walk for Awareness is one of the centre’s major annual fundraisers, so she’s hoping for another big crowd of supporters to participate on April 16, said Dragseth.
Her son Jude, 9, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, has made incredible progress in large part because of the good work being done at the Osoyoos Autism Behavioural Centre, she said.
“My son is having a great time attending school at Osoyoos Elementary School,” she said. “He’s playing hockey and making friends and is a very happy young boy. My husband and I are very thankful.”
Anyone wanting more information or wishing to pick up pledge sheets can visit the website at www.osoyoosautism.com.
Pledge sheets will also be available from Osoyoos Autism Behavioural Centre board members.
Registration is not required to participate in the event on April 16. All those planning to participate should be at town square at 11 a.m.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
